Renting problem and being kicked out

x34cha

So me and a friend have been renting from a guy for a couple years, everything as normal no issues but yesterday I got back from work and somebody was knocking on my door, they then let themselves in and a woman said she was from a housing agency, turns out the guy was subletting when he shouldn't have been. She questioned this and said its against their policy and I really didn't know what to say other than you will have to contact him(the guy I was renting from). She also seen a crack in the wall and said that we will have to move out after Christmas because of that. So I have been missing work, worrying about what I'm going to next, trying to pack incase they tell me I have to go and my anxiety is through the roof. I am panicking they are just going to let themselves in again and I work nighthsifts so I'm asleep in the day, so I put my key in my door to keep them out. They tried to get in again yesterday, slamming on my door and shouting through the letter box. I feel like I am being harassed in my own home and people are just letting themselves in and I'm genuinely scared to sleep. I have no idea what to do. I don't want them to come back and I need at least a month or two to sort out a new place to live, does anybody have advice that can help me.. Do I have to let them in? Thank you. 

theartfullodger

Sorry.  'phone Shelter 0808 800 4444 the experts for advice.
What proof did they give that that are from housing association?  Maybe spend £3 online with land registry and see who does own it 
How have you been paying rent - bank transfer, cash in hand, what please?

What does your tenancy with your landlord (the presumably crooked cheat) say about what happens if you  can no longer live there?

Sincerely hope someone grasses your landlord up to HMRC & benefits authority for his extra income.

Such cheats can and have gone to jail.  Apologies for being blunt but, assuming all true, pleased to hear authorities clamping down on housing fraud.

My sympathy as you are presumably the inoccent party.

Murphybear

Change the locks urgently.  This is perfectly legal.  From what you have said they may possibly break in.  

x34cha

Perfectly legal for them to enter? Or perfectly legal to change the locks. 

lookstraightahead

Had the housing agency never wanted to come and check the property in those two years? Are you absolutely sure they are from the housing agency? 

steampowered

Change the locks.

If they come back again, tell them to take it up with your landlord. Call the police if there is any aggression.

Under the law, you are legally entitled to be in the property. It isn't your problem if the landlord is in breach of their lease.

pmlindyloo

Please read this link from Citizen's Advice which confirms what other posters have said.

What happens if a subtenancy is unlawful? - Citizens Advice

GDB2222

On a practical level there are a few things to do.

Change the locks. You only need to change one on each door. It’s an easy job for a handyman, if you can’t do it.

I would stop paying the rent until you have caught up with the money that you have paid in advance for rent and deposit.  Save this money to use for your new rental.

Look around for somewhere to move to. 

What I would worry about is what is wrong with the property that needs such urgent and major work? It’s rare for a crack to be that bad. Can you post some photos?

x34cha

pmlindyloo said:

Please read this link from Citizen's Advice which confirms what other posters have said.

What happens if a subtenancy is unlawful? - Citizens Advice

The link says this about if the landlord(fake) tenancy ends with the real landlords. Which it will if they deem it as him breaking the contract:
"  In these circumstances you're regarded as a trespasser and the head landlord doesn't need a possession order to evict you, but they can get one if they choose."
So they can evict me straight away? I need at least a month or two to sort myself and get out. I have read its 6months notice to evict somebody now but I'm guessing that doesn't apply? Obviously I want out way before that. 

x34cha

GDB2222 said:

On a practical level there are a few things to do.

Change the locks. You only need to change one on each door. It’s an easy job for a handyman, if you can’t do it.

I would stop paying the rent until you have caught up with the money that you have paid in advance for rent and deposit.  Save this money to use for your new rental.

Look around for somewhere to move to. 

What I would worry about is what is wrong with the property that needs such urgent and major work? It’s rare for a crack to be that bad. Can you post some photos?

That's what I was hoping to do, save money for the next place and just not pay them, but at the same time I don't wanna cause myself more trouble.. So not sure. The crack has been there the entire 2 years I have been living there. It hasn't gotten bigger and I'm thinking they could be using it as an excuse to get us out quickly I'm not sure. I'll try get some pictures when I'm home. 

anselld

x34cha said:

pmlindyloo said:

Please read this link from Citizen's Advice which confirms what other posters have said.

What happens if a subtenancy is unlawful? - Citizens Advice

The link says this about if the landlord(fake) tenancy ends with the real landlords. Which it will if they deem it as him breaking the contract:
"  In these circumstances you're regarded as a trespasser and the head landlord doesn't need a possession order to evict you, but they can get one if they choose."
So they can evict me straight away? I need at least a month or two to sort myself and get out. I have read its 6months notice to evict somebody now but I'm guessing that doesn't apply? Obviously I want out way before that. 

The head Landlord can deem whatever they like, however only a Court or a tenant can actually terminate a tenancy.